THEO5300 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 1
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Disclaimer: This syllabus is intended to give the student a general idea of the content, format,
and textbooks used for this class. The professor will submit a full syllabus at the beginning of the
class which will contain a course schedule and the instructor’s information.
NOBTS Mission
To equip leaders to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandments
through the local church and its ministries.
Course
Description
This first course in systematic theology introduces the student to the
methodology of theology (Prolegomena) and the doctrines of revelation, God,
humanity, and the person of Christ. The biblical foundations and the relevant
historical developments are considered in construction of a Christian
understanding of each doctrine.
Curriculum
Competencies
Christian Theological Heritage: To understand and interpret Christian
theological heritage and Baptist polity for the church
Disciple Making: To stimulate church health through mobilizing the church for
missions, evangelism, discipleship, and church growth
Course Objectives
By the end of this course the student should:
Utilize concepts and arguments related to systematic theology in the
discussion of religious topics.
Value systematic theology as it relates to life and Christian Ministry.
Develop sound arguments for and critiques of religious perspectives.
The Bible, English Language
Required
Textbooks
Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.
McKim, Donald K., The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms. Louisville,
KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1996.
Recommended
Textbooks
Elwell, Walter E., ed. The Evangelical Dictionary of Christian Theology, 2d ed.
Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984.
Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology, 2d ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001.
Plagiarism is a very serious offense. It runs counter to everything that Christian discipleship and this
institution represents. All counts of plagiarism will be dealt with in accordance
with the NOBTS policy. For details of this policy, see the student handbook.
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Netiquette: Appropriate Online Behavior
Each student is expected to demonstrate appropriate Christian behavior when working online on the
Discussion Board. The student is expected to interact with other students in a fashion that will promote
learning and respect for the opinions of others in the course. A spirit of Christian charity will be expected
at all times in the online environment
Assignments
Reading of Grudem’s Systematic Theology: Each student is expected to read pages 15-567 of
Grudem’s text. A simple report of reading will be submitted at the end of the semester. (500 pts.)
Weekly quizzes will include vocabulary, identification of key people, and memory verses. The study
guides for each quiz will be available one week in advance and are found on blackboard. The quizzes will
be taken via blackboard. Each quiz will be “active” for 7 days beginning on Monday morning. The allotted
time, once started is fifteen (15) minutes. Never use the back button or the test will end and you will be
graded on what you have completed. Only the top ten quiz grades will be averaged for your grade. Each
quiz is worth 50 pts. (500 pts.)
Theological discussions help students to integrate biblical and historical data into systematic,
contemporary, and practical expressions. The discussion topics require students to research, reflect, and
respond critically and coherently as well as interact appropriately with other participants. Discussion
threads begin four times on the blackboard course. Once opened each student is to make a studied,
researched and documented response. This part of participation in discussion should occur within 2
weeks of the opening of each thread. The thread will remain open so that all students may consider and
respond to personal postings. All threads will close 8 AM CST on the date of the final examination. Thread
may have “sub-topics.” There are two types of questions in these topics. For the first type, theological
construction, the student will be instructed to research certain works within an area of theology. In the
second category of question the student will apply the theological discussion to a real or imagined ministry
situation. Neither type of questions is a license for the student to discuss the emotions or feelings toward
the doctrine, discussion or participants and their views. Students are to document direct quotations and
paraphrased sources with parenthetical references.
Postings must demonstrate that the student has incorporated research from the sources consulted into
the project. Each student is expected to submit an original post to all questions of each discussion thread.
Students are expected to read all posts and respond with substance to approximately 1/3 of the other
postings. (1200 pts.)
Theological project: Each student will complete a project applying one of the doctrines of Systematic
Theology I to a teaching ministry (preferably within the local church). The topic, audience and means of
presentation must be approved by the professors. (900 pts.)
Final examinations are given at the end of the semester. The final examination is comprehensive and
covers the entire semester’s material (900 pts.)
Total of 4000 points possible.
Grading scale: A: 93-100% B: 85-92% C: 77-84% D: 70-76% F: below 70%
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Vocabulary Lists:
THEO5300 Systematic Theology 1
Vocabulary List 1
Religion
Systematic theology
Biblical theology
Historical theology
Philosophical theology
Confessional theology
Liberalism
Modernism
Fundamentalism
Vocabulary List 2
Christology
Pneumatology
Angelology
Demonology
Anthropology
Hamartiology
Soteriology
Eschatology
Vocabulary List 3
Deism
Theism
Pantheism
Panentheism
Atheism
Agnosticism
Naturalism
Monism
Vocabulary List 4
Biblicism
Creedalism
Orthodoxy
Fideism
Revelation
General revelation
Special revelation
Natural theology
Anthropomophism
Vocabulary List 5
Authority
Christian experience
Scripture
Canon
Inspiration
Inerrancy
Illumination
Vocabulary List 6
a priori
a posteriori
Person, hypostasis
Transcendence
Immanence
Aseity
Omnipotence
Omniscience
Omnipresence
Ubiquity
Impassibility
Vocabulary List 7
Ontological Trinity
Immanent Trinity
Unitarianism
Modalism
Patripassianism
Sabellianism
Tritheism
Perichoresis
Vocabulary List 8
Creatio ex nihilo
Theodicy
Providence
Decrees of God
Covenant theology
Satan, the devil
Demons
Angels
Vocabulary List 9
imago Dei
Preexistence of souls
Creationism (of souls)
Traducianism
Original righteousness
Original sin
Concupiscence
Imputation
Vocabulary List 10
Depravity, total depravity
Common grace
Mortal sins
Venial sins
Incarnation
Immaculate conception of
Mary
Vocabulary List 11
Assumption of Mary
Docetism
Gnosticism
Subordinationism (of
Jesus)
Arianism
Apollinarianism
Nestorianism
Eutychianism
Chalcedonian definition
Vocabulary List 12
Hypostatic union
Impeccability
Preexistence of Christ
Logos
Lord
Son of God
Son of Man
Virgin birth
Virginal conception
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Reference Bibliography
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